Leicester City captain Wes Morgan has told ESPN FC he was disappointed to hear of Riyad Mahrez's desire to leave this summer, adding that the Algeria international has had a "taste of glory."
Mahrez has asked Leicester not to stand in his way after remaining at the club last summer despite being strongly linked with a move after their Premier League-winning season, which saw him voted PFA Player of the Year.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mahrez said it was "time to move on to a new experience," and it is reported that Leicester will demand up to £40 million for him.
Morgan said: "It is difficult to hear. We've shared some good times, some great experiences, and he was obviously a big part of the team that won the Premier League and pulled off the impossible.
"But at the same time I can understand that he's young, he's a very talented player and he's full of ambition.
"I think maybe Riyad has had a taste of the glory and what's possible, and he wants more of it, which you can understand.
"Maybe he thinks he'll have a better chance of finding that again at a different club."
Mahrez is not the only player to have been linked with a departure from the King Power, with speculation also surrounding the futures of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and striker Jamie Vardy.
Morgan said it was difficult for clubs to keep anyone determined to move but said Leicester must fight to keep their best players.
"When you're talking about the core of our team, they would be very difficult to replace," Morgan said. "We've been together for a long time.
"But nothing stays the same forever and I understand that everyone has ambitions. It's up to Leicester to try to match those ambitions.
"Our better players are always going to be looked at and talked about, and they have been big players for us.
"Whatever happens, I would wish them all the best. But hopefully they will stay."
